Z SCALE - NO ROOM FOR A WYE - 'SMALL' TURNTABLE NEEDED

ZOPTIONS Jan 30, 2021

  1. ZOPTIONS

    ZOPTIONS TrainBoard Member

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    You folks have assisted me several times.
    In NOV of 2019 forum conversation re: "bashing" a peco N SCALE turntable to Z SCALE included a pic. I am unable to open the pic. Anyone have the picture?
    Also, if I were to undertake this, a complete Z SCALE novice, do you have any pointers, suggestions or directions that you could share. I am not adverse to scratch building/bashing but need a point of reference to start.
    I am 'converting' the Marklin Christmas 4-6-0 (2 of them) to an old time (50's) excursion train and setting. I am unable to fit in a WYE for an engine turn around and need a 'small' turntable, replicating a 'men - crowd -pushed' turntable, that would fit this engine and a shorty diesel I intend to build. Motorized - not sure - TBD?
    Marklin/Rokuhan are not contenders too large and not appropriate for setting.
    I need small - Peco 6"? or Faller - or smaller.
    Are there any 'small' turntables out there - kit - homemade - or?
    Thank you for your time.
    Mac
     
  2. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    The N Peco is a good starting point because it has a polarity changing split ring wiper system for track power.
     

    Attached Files:

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  3. ubiminor

    ubiminor TrainBoard Member

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    I used to model also in N scale.
    At that time I made a few turntables for the Nm (the metric narrow gauge in N that uses the Z track)
    reproducing this prototype and similar.
    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
    all using manual actuation (all my commands are manual knobs) and made in FDM technology.
    I chose a ratio of 16 turns of knob per platform turn and this led to a rather smooth motion.

    I have been using spherical neodymium magnets with corresponding steel tabs to feed the tracks.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    As for track, you just needed to snap the Märklin track into the recesses, apply cyanoacrylate glue and cut the excess.
    I have seen that similar types of turntables existed in America.
    [​IMG]
     
  4. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Republic Locomotive Works makes a really nice one for Nn3, but works well for Z-scale. i found one at a swap meet many years ago for $20 but never used it.
     
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  5. John Bartolotto

    John Bartolotto TrainBoard Supporter

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  6. ZOPTIONS

    ZOPTIONS TrainBoard Member

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  7. ZOPTIONS

    ZOPTIONS TrainBoard Member

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    Kurt, I wrote republic. Apparently they have ZERO as I did not get a reply. The kits look like they can be made to resemble whatever you need. I've worked with you on the 'bay' a couple times. Thanks for the suggestion. Mac
     
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  8. ZOPTIONS

    ZOPTIONS TrainBoard Member

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    John, That is a very nice looking roundtable! Started me a thinking. Thanks Mac
     
  9. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    You could hand-lay a wye, allowing you to compress the needed area. Here is a pix of an East Coast Round house but I think you will automatically only see the creativity of an actual prototype railroad:

    Surrounding roundhouse.png

    Using the PDF templates from Fast Tracks (https://www.handlaidtrack.com/assets/downloads/tt-z-t-4.pdf)
    In most CAD software, you can open the file and edit to cut and paste what you actually need. Or, just print on clear material and overlay.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2021
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  10. rvn2001

    rvn2001 TrainBoard Member

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    Hello Mac,

    This is what I did when I needed a small turntable for my HOn30 layout. I used a headphone plug and socket. I glued the plug to the center of the bottom of a piece of track and connected the wires from the plug to the rails. I mounted the socket into the layout. I used a DPDT toggle switch as a reversing switch. The wires ran from the power supply/transformer through the reversing switch to the socket. I rotated the turntable by hand. I used a piece of rail bent into a circle for the ends of the turntable to rotate on. SmallTurntable.jpg
     
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  11. mdvholland

    mdvholland TrainBoard Member

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  12. ZOPTIONS

    ZOPTIONS TrainBoard Member

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    RVN - You know, I'm thinking in your direction. The shorty 45 degree Rokuhan track can provide the rail, bashed. All I needed was some ideas on electrical. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Mac
     
  13. ZOPTIONS

    ZOPTIONS TrainBoard Member

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    Hey Matt, I looked at that one AND its sister in HO. A great starting point, just pondering how to put either of the in a PIT. The N is a bit short for my engine. Actually had this in my 'cart' but cancelled. Thanks for the thought. Mac
     
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  14. ZOPTIONS

    ZOPTIONS TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Jeff, Wish I WERE a cad guy many times. That would have solved many trial and error constructions. Thanks for the input! Mac
     
  15. ZOPTIONS

    ZOPTIONS TrainBoard Member

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    I couldn't figure out how to amend my conversation to add the following: I am looking to do an AMSTRONG TURNTABLE as pictured below, Thanks

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  16. mdvholland

    mdvholland TrainBoard Member

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  17. IronMan1963

    IronMan1963 TrainBoard Member

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  18. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    That headphone jack electrical connection and pivot point is pure genius!
     
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  19. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It goes back many years. There was an article in Model Railroader, their February of 1987 issue, by Hayden & Frary about one they built for the HOn30 C&DR Ry.
     
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  20. rvn2001

    rvn2001 TrainBoard Member

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    I guess more than one person can have a good idea.
     

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